why the push now on prices. you ve got it. it s not spring yet let alone summer. you should know according to the triple-a average we re now 27 cents higher than we were just a month ago. why the climb? interestingly enough, analysts cite the improving economy as one reason. that sends oil prices up, which in turn sends gas prices up. opec production cuts are another reason for that climb and oil prices in order to turn that into gasoline, you need to send it through refineries and many of those are shutting down permanently or closing for maintenance in anticipation of that switch to summer blend gasoline and put that together and it s enough to drive investors to put their money into energy futures although none of this is particularly unusual, it seems to be happening earlier and earlier every year, and this year clearly no exception. all that said, there is a bright spot here for drivers, martha. that is that analysts are forecasting this year, oil prices will peak at a lower pri